The Navy's Flag!

Ryugu Palace - Council Chamber

After listening to Roy's detailed plan, Neptune fell into a long silence.

His hands remained firmly gripping the armrests of the Throne, his gaze as complex as a turbulent ocean current.

He slowly raised his head, his voice low and hoarse. "Vice Admiral Roy... can you really guarantee that the World Government won't go back on its word?"

Roy looked at him, his expression unwavering, and simply smiled faintly, "I cannot guarantee the World Government."

He paused, but his gaze remained as resolute as iron: "But as long as I'm alive—"

"Then it won't dare to do anything reckless."

Neptune was startled by these words, and a light seemed to ignite deep within his eyes.

Meanwhile, Fish-Man Island Harbor

"Splash--!"

As the waves crashed against the shore, a huge, exaggerated Pirate ship covered in candy paint slowly approached the land.

Standing at the bow of the ship was a middle-aged man with his hair combed into three fan-shaped sections, naked, draped in an orange cloak, and radiating intense heat—he was none other than a core combatant of the Big Mom Pirates.

--Charlotte Oven, Devil Fruit User the Heat-Heat Fruit.

He frowned and glanced around.

Why is the Harbor so quiet? Wasn't Fish-Man Island supposed to be in complete chaos?

His eyes narrowed, and his gaze fell on a Warship docked in the center of the Harbor.

"Hmm? The Navy?" Oven narrowed his eyes. "Why are there Warships here?"

The Pirate underling beside him cautiously asked, "Brother Oven, could there be high-ranking Marines on the island? Should we...?"

"What are you afraid of?!" Oven's anger flared up after hearing this, and he kicked the man away.

"How dare a mere navy cause trouble on Fish-Man Island?!"

"Mom has already offered this old Fish-Man very kindly, and he's still dragging his feet?!"

He strode off the ship, and the Pirates behind him quickly prepared to line up, their faces contorted with murderous intent.

"Go! Charge into the Ryugu Palace!"

"If Neptune doesn't give me an explanation today, I'll personally Ignition!!"

However, just as they were advancing aggressively towards the Ryugu Palace—

"Whoosh!"

A slender yet upright figure silently appeared in the middle of the avenue leading to the Royal City.

"Stop."

Luo, holding the "Kikoku," stood coldly in the middle of the road.

Oven paused, slightly taken aback, then sneered disdainfully, "Where did this Navy brat come from? Tired of living?"

Luo said calmly, "The road ahead is blocked; passage is prohibited."

"Huh?!" Oven laughed angrily, "Do you even know who I am?!"

"I know, Charlotte Oven, a combatant of the Big Mom Pirates."

Luo replied calmly, word for word.

Oven was momentarily stunned. "You knew that and you still dared to block my way?! You're asking for it!!"

With that, he stomped his foot on the ground and swung his fist high, the intense heat surging through his arm!

"Hot Wind Fist!!"

The air was instantly distorted, and flames swept in like a tidal wave!

"ROOM!"

But just as Oven's punch swept across the field, Law's figure suddenly vanished, leaving only a faint blue afterimage in place!

"What?!" Oven was shocked!

The next instant, a cold voice rang out from behind him. "Scalpel - Cut!"

"Pfft--!"

The blade flashed like an arc, and in a moment of carelessness, Oven's back was instantly slashed open with a long, narrow wound, and blood gushed out!

"Ahhh--!" Oven screamed, staggering backward, his face filled with disbelief and horror!

"Who... who are you?!"

Luo flicked his wrist, casually brushing away the blood droplets from the knife. His black robe billowed slightly, and his voice was low and cold:

Trafalgar Law.

"Take one more step, and your head will leave your neck."

His eyes were as cold as the still waters of the deep sea, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, only a hint of resoluteness and sharpness.

Charlotte Oven clutched the slashed wound on his back, his face ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

For the first time, he felt the pressure from the "young brat".

"How can this kid be so strong?!"

Just then, one of his Pirate underlings finally recognized Law's identity and shouted in terror:

"Brother Oven!! He's Commodore, the 'Surgeon of Death'!!"

Oven looked completely bewildered, then turned around angrily and roared, "What death and doctor?! Explain yourself clearly!!"

The younger brother was almost in tears. "He's Vice Admiral Roy's adjutant!!"

"Roy's... adjutant?!"

Oven's pupils contracted sharply, and his entire face instantly lost all color.

"That guy's adjutant is here... doesn't that mean..."

He hadn't finished speaking when

"Creak--"

The heavy doors of the Council Chamber slowly opened, and a tall, imposing figure emerged side by side with an elderly and dignified king.

Roy stood with his hands in his pockets, his steps steady, his expression languid, and a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Wow... it's quite lively here."

A seemingly casual remark struck Charlotte Oven and his entire crew like a thunderbolt, leaving them momentarily speechless!

--This is Roy.

A naval monster that defeated Whitebeard and Golden Lion!

Oven's throat bobbed slightly, his face filled with shock. "It really is him... it's him?!"

Luo Jingjing sheathed her sword and stepped back half a step behind Roy.

Neptune took a deep breath, as if Roy's presence had suppressed the last trace of fear in his heart.

He mustered his courage, strode forward, stood before Charlotte Oven, and said in a deep voice, "Go back and tell Charlotte Linlin— "

Fish-Man Island has formally rejected her proposal.

"From now on, we will no longer be affiliated with any Pirate force."

"We will stand in the sunlight!"

Charlotte Oven was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage. "Huh?!?!"

"You old bastard, you really think you're something special...?"

Before he could finish speaking...

"Smack!!"

An invisible hand was pulled out out of thin air, as if the air itself had been forcibly ripped apart!

Charlotte Oven was struck as if by a giant hammer, his body flying dozens of meters before crashing into a coral rock wall at the edge of the Harbor, sending stone chips flying everywhere!

"Boom!!"

"Brother Oven!!" the Pirates cried out in alarm, swarming forward.

Roy slowly withdrew his raised Right Hand, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room, his tone unhurried: "Go back and tell Charlotte Linlin— "

"Fish-Man Island is not open to Pirates."

Having said that, he swung his right arm.

"Whoosh--!"

A huge banner proclaiming "Naval Justice" fell from the sky and landed firmly in the center of the square in front of the Ryugu Palace!

The sea breeze howls, and the flags Hunting Roar!

Tears welled in Neptune's eyes as he gazed at the fluttering flag, a sense of peace and dignity he hadn't felt in decades washing over him.

He turned to look at Roy, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination.

"Vice Admiral Roy – Fish-Man Island, wishes to receive the Navy's protection."

"And I am willing to journey with you across the sea of destiny."

Standing to the side, Jinbe watched the "Justice" flag slowly rise, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Queen Otohime's ideal--

Perhaps, it really is about to come true.